Black forest cake is also known as German Chocolate cake.  This cake is loved by many Kenyans because of its decency. It has 4 chocolate layers, 1 lb. of Kirsch-infused cherries and light whipped cream. Black forest cake is fairly simple to bake. Here is the recipe for making a medium sized black forest cake at home:

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Ingredients for the layers

5 large eggs, room temp,  ½ cup granulated/white sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour- should be correctly measured,   1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 Tbsp (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temp and  1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Filling ingredients

2 cups (1 lb.) Bing pitted strawberries plus 12 whole strawberries for decor,  2 Tbsp kirsch (a cherry liqueur) and 1/2 cup cold water

Topping and frosting ingredients

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1/3 cup Confectioners sugar, 1 Tbsp kirsch (cherry liqueur) and 2 oz good quality dark chocolate

Procedure

Whisk together oil, vanilla essence, milk, and eggs in a jug and put aside.

Sieve plain flour, chocolate powder, salt, baking powder and soda bicarbonate.  Add sugar to the dry mixture and whisk until combined.

Pour the liquid in the jug into the dry ingredients and whisk until it forms a uniform batter.

Grease a 9-inch pan and cover the bottom with waxed baking paper. Pour the batter into the pan and spread it out evenly using a spatula.

Bake in a preheated oven at 175C for 35 minutes. Let the cake cool down in the pan for 10 minutes then remove on a wire rack and let cool completely.

Boil strawberries, sugar and water for 5 minutes to make the strawberry filling. Let cool completely before using.

Apply some of the strawberry syrup onto the bottom layer of the cake to make it moist.

Pipe an even layer of whipped cream using a piping bag, pipe an even layer of whipped cream. Use an offset spatula to flatten it. Spoon some strawberries onto the cream and press down the top layer of the cake.

Add a few dollops of whipped cream on the cake and using an offset spatula, smoothen it out in back and forth motions. Ice the sides as well. Pop into the freezer to set for 5-10 minutes.

Using the palm of your hand, stick the chocolate shavings onto the sides of the cake. Pipe a few rosettes around the cake and add strawberry halves for garnishing. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate shavings over the middle. The cake is ready to slice and serve